Main Street program staff told the Main Street Advisory Board on June 25 that a visit to the Simons Foundation prompted a proposal for a yearlong math-engagement initiative to be run in downtown Eagle Pass, with staff planning to submit a funding request to the foundation.

The initiative — presented as a sequence of community events, school partnerships and teacher training — would launch with an Aug. 8 “Infinity Day” kickoff and include culturally themed geometry workshops, a paint‑by‑equations community mural, a 3.14‑kilometer Pi Day run and an end‑of‑school math and science fair. The staff member said the program would also include a July coding seminar for teachers that carries a $300 stipend per participant.

Board members were not asked to vote on the program itself; the presenter said she intended to submit the proposal to the Simons Foundation “tomorrow” and wanted the board to be aware and supportive.

Boardroom context: the Simons Foundation funds math and basic science public‑engagement projects and previously funded Eagle Pass telescopes and an eclipse contest. Staff said the foundation invited a small set of Main Street programs, museums and other organizations to consider pilot math programming that could be funded or technically supported by the foundation.

Details presented by staff included:
- August 8 Infinity Day kickoff: a community event introducing a year of math activities for students, teachers and families.
- Geometry workshops in the fall using traditional Hispanic crafts (papel picado and piñata) to teach symmetry and shapes.
- A paint‑by‑equations mural planned for a Fibonacci‑themed weekend, where paint colors are determined by solving simple equations.
- A Pi Day (March 14) program that would start with a 3.14‑kilometer fun run featuring age‑appropriate math challenge checkpoints, followed by a family block party with math‑themed contests.
- An end‑of‑year math and science fair co‑produced with Eagle Pass Independent School District math and science clubs.

Staff also described a partnership with educator Jeff Wheatcraft, identified in the presentation as the founder of the Wheatcraft Project and director of STEM Education Growth at the Science Mill, who will lead teacher training and curriculum development. The presenter said Wheatcraft won a grant that covers materials and stipends for a four‑day July coding seminar in Eagle Pass; attendees would receive materials to keep for classroom use.

On costs and timing, the presenter said many of the community events could run at low cost even without Simons funding, but the foundation’s support would expand programming capacity and technical assistance. The staff member said she had discussed the ideas with district representatives and community partners and invited board members or local organizations to take the lead on specific events.

The board offered positive feedback and no objections; no formal vote or budget commitment was recorded. Staff indicated she would proceed with the grant submission and return with updates.

For follow‑up: the presenter encouraged board members and downtown businesses to participate in programming and to notify staff if they want to sponsor or lead specific events.